Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon and cancer of the rectum. The colon is the longest part of the large intestine, and the rectum is the last several inches of the large intestine, closest to the anus.

Colorectal cancer is very common. Worldwide, it is the third most common form of cancer and the fourth most frequent cause of cancer deaths. In Western countries, colorectal cancer accounts for more new cases per year than any cancer except lung cancer. It is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. The risk is slightly higher for men. Colorectal cancer kills almost 50,000 people each year in the US.

If colorectal cancer is caught early, it's treatable and even curable. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that colorectal cancer often occurs without any symptoms. What's more, only about 40% of the people who should be screened do, in fact, get tested. Increased rates of screening and greater awareness of how common, and how dangerous, colorectal cancer is could greatly reduce its prevalence.

theVisualMD Wishes to Thank our Scientific Collaborators:

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Consult a licensed medical professional for the diagnosis and treatment of all medical conditions and before starting a new diet or exercise program. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.